Cheapy Fog Machine

[QC]

Against my better judgement I let the Mrs. talk me into a cheapy fog machine for Halloween. They were selling bottles of "Fog Juice" which I refused to buy. I looked all over the label and there were no warnings or ingredients or anything that I could find, so I figured it was probably distilled water with some color (looked slightly green). We have a good RO unit, so I figured I had the scam beat and kinda forgot about it until today.

Anyway, I cranked the little sucker up today with my RO water in it. initially it blew a huge cloud and I was really happy, and then it slowly started to peter out, I mean within 10 seconds. It now kinda intermittently blows maybe a little visible fog.

So here's the question, do I have to go buy some of this "Fog Juice" or is it simply a POS and I should just chock it up to I knew better?

 

[xtraham]

Re: Cheapy Fog Machine

buy the fluid it's easier.........

MAKE YOUR OWN

 

[QC]

Re: Cheapy Fog Machine

Bummer, thought I had outsmarted it . . . Thanks.

 

[Scoop]

Re: Cheapy Fog Machine

I have one of those fog machines. It was a lot cheaper than all the dry ice I was buying. I bought at the end of the year when they had large bottles of solution on sale.

The solution is Propylene Glycol based. Propylene Gycol is the non-toxic anti-freeze. They also use it in cosmetics and food.

If you have ever seen a car burning anti-freeze or had a hose get a hole and spray anti-freeze on the exhaust manifold, you will see why they use it.

My current bottle actually says the ingredients.

- Dionized water (Mispelled De-ionized water) Use Distilled
- Propylene Glycol
- Tri-ethelene Glycol

a Mix of Propylene Glycol is sold in the store. You will have to look for the non-toxic bottle.

Do not use the Ethylene Glycol as it is poisonous and pets love the taste of it.

Better yet, buy a bottle of the fog juice this year and buy a bunch at the after Halloween sales. Easier than doing all that work.

 

[xtraham]

Re: Cheapy Fog Machine

if you want the fog to stay on the ground I have a homemade way of doing it easy and cheap........

 

[Bob_VT]

Re: Cheapy Fog Machine

I have a special effects company and at times I am asked for "fog" . I use the commercial fluid. Two basic reasons.......... it works and there is no mixing on my part and even more important it is non toxic for the actors.

Sadly around halloween the fluid sells for WAY TOO MUCH money. The aftermarket companies are making a fortune on it.

I personally hate the odor about it.

I have used dry ice and water which works best across a wet floor surface and no smell.

 

[AK_Chappy]

Re: Cheapy Fog Machine

xtraham,
What is your homemade and easy way to keep it on the floor?

I wanna try that.

AK Chappy

 

[xtraham]

Re: Cheapy Fog Machine

Parts needed:
10 ft 3" pvc pipe
1- 3" sleeve coupler
1- 3" to 2" reducer adapter.
1 2" to 1 1/4" reducer adapter.
12" to 16" of 1 1/4" pvc pipe.
1 - 1 1/4" "T"
1 3" 90 degree elbow
1 Fog Machine, & Ice

Assemble parts as shown no glue is needed unless you choose to. The parts fit snuggly, so I dont feel its needed. Leave the "T" opening upward to allow the heat from the fogger to escape. A small amount of fog will escape here as the fogger cycles.

This is how the fog chiller should look when assembled

Once the chiller is assembled its time to fill it with ice. Don't connect it to your fogger at this time. Simply tip up the elbow end of the chiller and pour in the ice, An 8 lb bag of ice will fill it nicely. Once filled simply slip the end of the "T" onto the collar of the fog output nozzle and your ready to FOG! The ice will have to be replenshed at some point, all will depend on the frequency the fogger is on and the type of fogger you own. This past Halloween I had to reload the ice only once and I got about three hours of ground hugging fog.

 

[QC]

Re: Cheapy Fog Machine

That looks like the same fog machine I have. Man, now I need to do the ice deal . . . I set up my little aluminum boat on the front lawn, two characters, kinda like the Phantom and Christine except they are fishing in a grave yard and catching bones. Need the fog to stay on the ground . . .

 

[xtraham]

Re: Cheapy Fog Machine

oh BTW make sure the pipe runs down hill a bit so the water from the melted ice wont get to the machine, and I just dump the ice in the end put the elbow on shake it abit then put on the outlet of the fogger.........

 

[QC]

Re: Cheapy Fog Machine

Can I use Ethylene Glycol outdoors if I promise not to let anyone or anything drink any?

 

[AK_Chappy]

Re: Cheapy Fog Machine

That is a great idea!!

I will use that next year!

AK Chappy

 

[QC]

Re: Cheapy Fog Machine

OK I caved in and bought the fog juice. Worked well, but I'll have to wait until next year to use the cooler. Would've worked real well, but I ran out of time . . .

 

[xtraham]

Re: Cheapy Fog Machine

it works great, cost about 20 bucks for all the stuff,
I want to buy a snow machine but they cost to much.
haven't figured out how to make snow yet..............

 

[Bob_VT]

Re: Cheapy Fog Machine

QC "haven't figured out how to make snow yet.............. "

How do you stop the darn stuff!!!! Here in VT that is tough. LOL

In the movies .... artificial snow is made by using a dump tray mounted abouve the actors and using Instant Potatoe Flakes. Looks great on camera, cheap and non toxic.

 

[18rabbit]

Re: Cheapy Fog Machine

In a hundred-million years I would never have thought of iboats as the source of answers for all of my fog machine questions.
d

 

[whywhyzed]

Re: Cheapy Fog Machine

Can I use Ethylene Glycol outdoors

In some states, I think you could actually do jail time for that

 

[QC]

Re: Cheapy Fog Machine

Like I said, I caved and bought the Fog juice . . . BTW, I looked at a couple of places for the propylene glycol based antifreeze and couldn't find it. One auto parts store said they were out of it . . .

 

[whywhyzed]

Re: Cheapy Fog Machine

plumbing antifreeze is propylene glycol... the RV section of walmart has it